The 6 biggest mistakes couples make in bed

Mistake #5: Taking your emotional connection for granted

When was the last time you really spoke to your partner, other than to confirm what’s for dinner? Thanks to hectic, overscheduled days, the majority of time we spend with our partners takes place when we’re asleep, says Paul Hokemeyer, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist in New York City. “But quality relationships require an intimate emotional connection during awake times,” he says.

The fix: Have a 30-minute conversation with your partner before shutting your eyes, Hokemeyer advises. Turn off all electronics and snuggle or discuss the events of the day, and while you love your kids (or your pet), having them around at this time will “squeeze out the romance,” he notes. “Set clear boundaries and enforce them.”